System and Method for Skirting a Manufactured Home

ABSTRACT

A system and method are provided for attachment of skirting, preferably vinyl skirting, with a manufactured home. The first legs of each of a plurality of clips, preferably L-shaped clips, may be attached with the bottom surface of the outer rim joist of the home. The plurality of L-shaped clips may be positioned along the length of the outer rim joist. The second legs of each of the plurality of L-shaped clips may be positioned downward. The top back skirting rail may be attached to the outer rim joist with the second legs of each of the plurality of L-shaped clips.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

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STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

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REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to manufactured home skirting.

2. Description of the Related Art

Manufactured homes, such as mobile, temporary and trailer homes are built at manufacturing facilities and transported to the locations where they will be fixed to the ground and occupied. When the home is fixed with the ground, the floor of the typical manufactured home is elevated several feet above the ground. The homes are typically built over a wood frame floor beam system, such as with 2″×6″ lumber. The wood frame system typically has a wooden perimeter beam or outer rim joist, which may also be 2″×6″ lumber. A plastic vapor barrier is attached below the wood floor framing system to prevent moisture from infiltrating from below. The wood frame system with moisture barrier is mounted over a steel frame system, such as I-beams. The steel frame system may be recessed inwardly from the wooden perimeter beam under the home. Alternatively, there may be an I-beam positioned under a portion of the wooden perimeter beam, typically at the trailer hitch end of the home.

After the manufactured home is fixed at the location where it will be used, vinyl skirting is typically installed around the perimeter of the home to shield the otherwise exposed area underneath the home. The vinyl skirting typically includes top back skirting rails, top front skirting rails, skirting panels, and ground channels. Exemplary vinyl skirting is available from Style Crest, Inc. of Fremont, Ohio, and Blevins, Inc. of Jacksonville, Fla., among others. The skirting panels span between the home and the ground, and extend around the outer perimeter of the home. The skirting panels are often cut to fit at the location. For example, they may be cut into 3 foot by 15 foot sections that are joined together at the 3 foot end. The top of the skirting panels are typically sandwiched between the top back skirting rails and the top front skirting rails. The vinyl skirting rails are typically 4 to 6 inches high, and extend around the outer perimeter of the home. In the prior art, the top back rails are nailed or screwed to the exterior walls of the home above the floor area. The nails or screws are usually located no greater than 16 inches apart along the perimeter of the home. The top of the skirting panel is positioned in front of the top back rail, and the top front rail is snapped over the skirting panel with the top back rail to hold the top of the skirting panel. The ground channel is placed on the ground around the perimeter of the home. The channel is open upwards, and is fixed to the ground. The bottom of the skirting panel is positioned in the channel opening.

Problems exist with the prior art system and method of attachment of the top of the vinyl skirting to exterior walls of the home. The prior art system and method allow for water leakage past the exterior wall and sometimes into the home through the holes where the top back skirting rails are attached above the floor. Also, the exterior surface of the home and the vinyl sheeting are subject to differing amounts of expansion and contraction depending upon the temperature and moisture conditions, which can cause leak paths to develop around the attachment holes in the exterior walls. Further, if the skirting is pulled loose, such as in a wind storm, the exterior walls of the home are damaged. In apparent recognition of some of the problems with the prior art, recent Federal Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regulations have required that skirting not be attached in a manner that can cause water to be trapped between the siding and trim or forced up into the wall cavity trim to which it is attached. Also, it has recently been required that skirting must not be attached in a manner that impedes the contraction and expansion characteristics of the home's exterior covering.

A need exists for a skirting attachment system that complies with the HUD requirements. A need exists for a skirting system that does not allow water past the exterior wall surfaces of the home. A need exists for a skirting system that does not impede the contraction and expansion characteristics of the home's exterior covering. A need exists for a cost effective and rapid installation system for attaching skirting to the manufactured homes.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A system and method are provided for attachment of skirting with a manufactured home. The first legs of each of a plurality of clips (preferably L-shaped) may be attached with the bottom surface of the outer rim joist of the home. The plurality of L-shaped clips may be positioned along the length of the outer rim joist. The second legs of each of the plurality of L-shaped clips may be positioned downward. The top back skirting rail may be attached with each of the second legs of the plurality of L-shaped clips. If an I-beam is positioned below the wooden outer rim joist, then the first legs of each of the L-shaped clips may be attached to the top flange of the I-Beam.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A better understanding of the present invention can be obtained with the following detailed descriptions of the various disclosed embodiments in the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a prior art schematic section elevational view of vinyl skirting attached to the exterior wall surface of a manufactured home.

FIG. 2 is a schematic section elevational view of vinyl skirting attached with L-shaped clips, which are attached with the outer rim joist below a manufactured home.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of an L-shaped clip.

FIG. 4 is a schematic section elevational view of a plurality of L-shaped clips attached to the top flange of an I-beam below the outer rim joist of a manufactured home.

FIG. 5 is a section view along line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a manufactured home 2 positioned on a wood frame flooring system comprising perimeter beams or outer rim joists 4 and inner beams or joists 6. Moisture barrier 8 is sandwiched or inserted between the wood flooring system and the steel frame system, comprising I-beams 10. The I-beams 10 are positioned on the ground. The top back skirting rail 12 is attached with screws 14 to the exterior wall of home 2. Screws 14 may be positioned at uniform locations, such as 16 inches on center, around the perimeter of the home 2 above the floor. The top of the skirting panel 16 is sandwiched or inserted between the top back skirting rail 12 and the top front skirting rail 18. Although the skirting is typically made of vinyl materials, other skirting panels can be used with this novel system and method, including natural (wood), metal and synthetic materials. The skirting rails (12, 18) snap together to hold the skirting panel 16. The skirting rails are typically 4 to 6 inches high, and extend around the outer perimeter of the home. The skirting panels 16 also extend around the perimeter of the home 2. The ground channel 26 is placed on the ground around the perimeter of the home 2. The channel is open upwards, and is fixed to the ground. The bottom of the skirting panel 16 is positioned in the channel opening.

Turning to FIG. 2, manufactured home 2 is positioned on a wood frame flooring system comprising outer rim joists 4 and inner joists 6. The joists (4, 6) may be 2″×6″ lumber, but other sizes and types are contemplated. Moisture barrier 8 is sandwiched between the wood flooring system and the steel frame system, comprising I-beams 10. The I-beams 10 are positioned on the ground. The first leg 34 of L-shaped clip 20 is attached with screw 22 to the bottom surface of outer rim joist 4. Other clip shapes are contemplated. Nails are also contemplated for attachment means. Other attachment means are contemplated. Moisture barrier 8 remains sandwiched between clip 20 and joist 4. An enlarged view of L-shaped clip 20 is shown in FIG. 3.

Returning to FIG. 2, top back skirting rail 24 is attached with screw 19 to the second leg 36 of L-shaped clip 20. Other attachment means are contemplated. Screws (19, 22) may be positioned at uniform locations, such as 16 inches on center, around the perimeter of the home 2. It is preferred that screws (19, 22) not be spaced greater than 16 inches on center. The top of the skirting panel 28 is sandwiched between the top back skirting rail 24 and the top front skirting rail 18. The skirting rails (18, 24) snap together to hold the top of skirting panel 28. The vinyl skirting rails (18, 24) are typically 4 to 6 inches high, and extend around the outer perimeter of the home. The skirting panels 28 also extend around the perimeter of the home 2. The ground channel 26 is placed on the ground around the perimeter of the home 2. The channel 26 is open upwards, and is fixed to the ground. The bottom of the skirting panel 28 is positioned in the channel 26 opening. Although clip 20 is preferably attached with top back skirting rail 24, it is contemplated that clip 20 may be attached directly with skirting panel 28. Although clip 20 is preferably positioned with second leg 36 downward and outward as shown in FIG. 2, other positions are contemplated, such as second leg 36 downward and inward. It is contemplated that the top back skirting rail 24, top front skirting rail 18, skirting panel 28 and ground channel 26 are the same as those found in the prior art.

Turning to FIG. 3, the L-shaped clip 20 is preferably substantially fiberglass filled high density polyethylene with lesser amounts of low density polyethylene, polypropylene, and styrene butadiene. The fiberglass is preferably approximately 20%. The low density polyethylene, polypropylene, and styrene butadiene are each preferably approximately 5%. However, other percentages and chemical components are contemplated. The styrene butadiene may be rubber. It is contemplated that clips 20 may be made from recycled materials. Other materials are contemplated for the L-shaped clip 20, including substantially plastic or metal, or a combination of both. Top hole 32 in first leg 34 of clip 20 is for attaching with bottom surface of outer rim joist 4 (FIG. 2) or with the top flange 48 of I-beam 46 (FIGS. 4-5). The clip 20 is preferably attached with outer rim joist 4 with a 1 inch long No. 8 screw. However, different size screws and attachment means are contemplated. In the preferred embodiment, dimension A is 4 inches, dimension B is 2½ inches, dimension C is 2 inches, and dimension D is ¼ inches. However, other sizes and dimensions (A, B, C, D) are contemplated. In the preferred embodiment, side hole 35 in second leg 36 of clip 20 is for attaching with top back skirting rail 24. However, it is contemplated that second leg 36 may be attached directly with skirting panel 28. It is contemplated that there may be more holes in clip 20 for attachment. Top back skirting rail 24 is preferably attached with second leg 36 of clip 20 with a ½ inch long No. 8 screw. However, different size screws and attachment means are contemplated.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show a manufactured home 40 with a non-recessed steel frame as it would typically appear at the hitch end of the home 40. Outer rim joist 42 is positioned on the top flange 48 of I-beam 46 with moisture barrier 8 between. First leg 34 of clip 20 is attached with screw 44 to top flange 48. A pilot hole is preferably first drilled through the top flange 48 with a 5/32 inch drill bit. Other sizes are contemplated. Screw 44 is preferably a ¾ inch self tap screw. Other attachment means are contemplated. Although not shown, top back skirting rail 24, skirting panel, top front skirting rail 18, and ground channel 26 may be positioned as previously described for FIG. 2.

Method of Use

For the manufactured home 2 with a recessed steel frame as shown in FIG. 2, the first legs 34 of each of the plurality of clips 20 may be attached to the bottom surface of outer rim joist 4. The top back skirting rail 24 may preferably be attached with the second legs 36 of each of the plurality of clips 20. However, it is contemplated that the skirting panel 28 may be attached directly to clips 20. Clips 20 are preferably positioned no greater than 16 inches apart. However, other spacings are contemplated. The top front skirting rail 18 is positioned over the top of skirting panel 28 as shown in FIG. 2. The bottom of skirting panel 28 is positioned in ground channel 26, which has previously been fixed to the ground.

For the manufactured home 40 with a non-recessed steel frame as shown in FIG. 4, the first legs 34 of each of the plurality of clips 20 may be attached to the top flange 48 of I-beam 46 with screws 44. A pilot hole is preferably first drilled into top flange 48. The top back skirting rail 24 may preferably be attached with the second legs 36 of each of the plurality of clips 20. However, it is contemplated that the skirting panel may be attached directly to clips 20. Clips 20 are preferably positioned no greater than 16 inches apart. However, other spacings are contemplated. The top front skirting rail 18 is positioned over the top of skirting panel 28 as shown in FIG. 2. The bottom of skirting panel 28 is positioned in ground channel 26, which has previously been fixed to the ground.

Since different types and brands of skirting have different spacing for the attachment slots on the top back skirting rails 24, it is preferred that one clip 20 be installed at each end of the sections of top back skirting rails 24 as they are attached to the joists 4. The remaining clips 20 may be installed in alignment with the rail 24 slots between the two ends. In areas on the rim joist 4 where the clip 20 will need to be located further toward the outside edge of the home 2, or further down on the second leg 36 of clip 20, an additional clip 20 may be used as a shim to obtain the extra needed thickness or length.

As can now be understood, the invention solves the prior art problem of water leakage into the home through the holes where the top back skirting rails are attached above the floor. The invention also solves the problem of leak paths developing around the attachment holes in the exterior walls due to the exterior surface of the home and the vinyl skirting being subject to differing amounts of expansion and contraction depending upon the temperature and moisture conditions. Further, if the skirting is pulled loose, such as in a wind storm, the exterior walls of the home are not damaged with the invention.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention are illustrative and explanatory thereof, and various changes in the details of the illustrated apparatus and system, and the construction and the method of operation may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. 

1. A fastening skirting system for a manufactured home, said home having an outer rim joist for supporting a floor, said outer rim joist having a bottom surface, comprising: a plurality of clips each having a first leg and a second leg; a skirting panel for spanning the distance from the ground to said outer rim joist; wherein the first leg of each of the plurality of clips is attached to the bottom surface of the outer rim joist; and wherein the skirting panel is positioned to the outer rim joist with the second leg of each of the plurality of clips.
 2. The fastening skirting system of claim 1, further comprising: a top back skirting rail for supporting said skirting panel; wherein said top back skirting rail is attached to the second leg of each of the plurality of clips; a top front skirting rail for supporting said skirting panel; and wherein said skirting panel is positioned between said top front skirting rail and said top back skirting rail.
 3. The fastening skirting system of claim 1, wherein said clips are L-shaped clips.
 4. The fastening skirting system of claim 3, wherein said L-shaped clips are substantially plastic.
 5. The fastening skirting system of claim 3, wherein said L-shaped clips are substantially fiberglass filled high density polyethylene with low density polyethylene, polypropylene, and styrene butadiene.
 6. The fastening skirting system of claim 3, wherein said L-shaped clips are metal.
 7. The fastening skirting system of claim 3, wherein said outer rim joist is substantially wood.
 8. A fastening skirting system comprising: a manufactured home having an outer rim joist for supporting a floor, said outer rim joist having a bottom surface; an I-beam having a top flange supporting said outer rim joist bottom surface; a plurality of clips each having a first leg and a second leg; a skirting panel for spanning the distance from the ground to said I-beam; wherein the first leg of each of the plurality of clips is attached to the top flange of said I-beam; and wherein said skirting panel is positioned to the outer rim joist with the second leg of each of the plurality of clips.
 9. The fastening skirting system of claim 8 wherein the clips are L-shaped clips.
 10. The fastening skirting system of claim 9, further comprising: a top back skirting rail for supporting said skirting panel; wherein said top back skirting rail is attached to the second leg of each of the plurality of L-shaped clips; a top front skirting rail for supporting said skirting panel; and wherein said skirting panel is positioned between said top front skirting rail and said top back skirting rail.
 11. The fastening skirting system of claim 10, wherein said L-shaped clips are substantially plastic.
 12. The fastening skirting system of claim 10 wherein said L-shaped clips are substantially fiberglass filled high density polyethylene with low density polyethylene, polypropylene, and styrene butadiene.
 13. A fastening skirting system comprising: a manufactured home having an outer rim joist for supporting a floor, said outer rim joist having a bottom surface; a plurality of L-shaped clips each having a first leg and a second leg; a skirting panel for spanning the distance from the ground to said outer rim joist; wherein the first leg of each of the plurality of L-shaped clips is attached to the bottom surface of the outer rim joist; and wherein the skirting panel is positioned with the second leg of each of the plurality of L-shaped clips.
 14. The fastening skirting system of claim 13, further comprising: a top back skirting rail for supporting said skirting panel; wherein said top back skirting rail is attached to the second leg of each of the plurality of L-shaped clips; a top front skirting rail for supporting said skirting panel; and wherein said skirting panel is positioned between said top front skirting rail and said top back skirting rail.
 15. A method of attaching a skirting panel to a manufactured home, the manufactured home having an outer rim joist for supporting a floor, said outer rim joist having a bottom surface, comprising the steps of: attaching a first leg of a plurality of L-shaped clips to the bottom surface of the outer rim joist; and attaching the skirting panel to the outer rim joist with the second leg of each of the plurality of L-shaped clips.
 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the steps of: providing a top back skirting rail for supporting said skirting panel; attaching said top back skirting rail to the second leg of each of the plurality of L-shaped clips; providing a top front skirting rail for supporting said skirting panel; and positioning said skirting panel between said top front skirting rail and said top back skirting rail.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein said L-shaped clips are substantially plastic.
 18. The method of claim 15, wherein said L-shaped clips are substantially fiberglass filled high density polyethylene with low density polyethylene, polypropylene, and styrene butadiene.
 19. A method comprising: providing a manufactured home having an outer rim joist for supporting a floor, said outer rim joist having a bottom surface; providing a steel I-beam having a top flange supporting said outer rim joist bottom surface; providing a plurality of L-shaped clips each having a first leg and a second leg; providing a skirting panel for spanning the distance from the ground to said steel I-beam; attaching the first leg of each of the plurality of L-shaped clips to the top flange of said steel I-beam; and attaching said skirting panel to the outer rim joist with the second leg of each of the plurality of L-shaped clips.
 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of: providing a top back skirting rail for supporting said skirting panel; attaching said top back skirting rail to the second leg of each of the plurality of L-shaped clips; providing a top front skirting rail for supporting said skirting panel; and positioning said skirting panel between said top front skirting rail and said top back skirting rail.
 21. The method of claim 19, wherein said L-shaped clips are substantially plastic.
 22. The method of claim 19, wherein said L-shaped clips are substantially fiberglass filled high density polyethylene with low density polyethylene, polypropylene, and styrene butadiene.
 23. The method of claim 19, wherein said second leg of each of said L-shaped clips is positioned downward.
 24. The method of claim 23, wherein said second leg of each of said L-shaped clips is positioned outward. 